For the first time, KBC makers zero

in on female actors to host show’s latest season

Early this year, there was speculation about Ranbir Kapoor hosting the upcoming season of Kaun Banega Crorepati as Amitabh Bachchan’s contract with the show was over. But that didn’t happen and there was news about the game show not happening this year. The last season of KBC aired two years ago in 2014.

However, now, sources say that not only is the channel planning to bring back the show, but also changing guard as far as the host is concerned. “This time, the channel is looking at revamping the show. While the format remains the same, they are planning to have a female host, who is a Bollywood actress. There are very few actresses who can match Amitabh Bachchan’s calibre. The makers have zeroed in on two names — Madhuri Dixit-Nene and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan. Both have been approached and chased aggressively,” says a source from the channel.

Madhuri with her winsome smile and a great connect with the masses will make for a good host. Aishwarya, on the other hand, is a global name and it will be a big deal if she takes over from her pa-in-law Bachchan as the host.

While Madhuri has in the past hosted a match-making show called Kahi Na Kahi Koi Hai, judged four seasons of Jhalak Dikhla Jaa and two seasons of So You Think You Can Dance India, Aishwarya has never done TV. If she agrees to host KBC, it will be her debut TV show.